Public schoolteachers in San Francisco have begun strike action, marking the first such walkout in the city for nearly fifty years, as noted by The Guardian. Approximately 6,000 educators are involved, leading the San Francisco Unified School District to close all 120 of its schools.
The district, which serves around 50,000 students, has said it will offer independent study to some pupils during the disruption. The strike follows a collapse in negotiations over a new contract, after nearly a year of talks between the United Educators of San Francisco union and the district failed to secure agreement on higher wages, health benefits, and increased resources for special needs students.
Cassondra Curiel, president of the union, stated at a news conference: “We will continue to stand together until we win the schools our students deserve and the contracts our members deserve.” Teachers joined picket lines after last-ditch weekend negotiations broke down, despite calls from Mayor Daniel Lurie and US Representative Nancy Pelosi for continued talks to avoid shutting down schools.
Union leaders planned a Monday morning news conference on the strike and an afternoon rally at San Francisco City Hall, with negotiations scheduled to resume at midday. The core disputes include demands for fully funded family healthcare, salary raises, and the filling of vacant positions that impact special education and services. Teachers also want policies to support homeless and immigrant students and families.
While the two sides have already agreed on stronger sanctuary policies, they remain far apart on wages. The union is asking for a 9% raise over two years, arguing that money could come from reserve funds directed back to classrooms. The district, however, says it cannot afford those increases, citing a $100m deficit and a longstanding financial crisis that has placed it under state oversight.
Officials have countered with a 6% wage increase paid over three years. Maria Su, superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District, said the offer also includes bonuses for all employees if there is a surplus by the 2027-28 school year. A report released last week by a neutral fact-finding panel recommended a compromise of a 6% increase over two years, largely siding with the district’s arguments of financial constraint.
On healthcare, the union said San Francisco teachers receive some of the lowest contributions to their costs in the Bay Area, pushing many to leave. Su said the district offered two options: the district paying 75% of family health coverage at Kaiser, or an annual allowance of $24,000 for teachers to choose their own plan.
Mayor Lurie, who helped broker an agreement to end a hotel workers union strike after his election, said city agencies were coordinating with the district on how to offer support to children and families. In a social media post, he stated: “I know everyone participating in these negotiations is committed to schools where students thrive and our educators feel truly supported, and I will continue working to ensure that.”
The last teachers’ strike in 1979 lasted more than six weeks before classes resumed.
